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Chapter 11 Small Game Mammals (Cottontail Rabbit, Snowshoe Hare

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Chapter 11 Small Game Mammals (cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, red, gray and fox squirrel) Olin Oedekoven, Mark Zornes (Introduction by editor) I. INTRODUCTION – Cottontail rabbits, snowshoe hares, and red, gray and fox squirrels are designated small game in Wyoming [W.S. 23-1-101(a)(xi)]. Several states, especially in the eastern U.S., conduct surveys to monitor small game populations. However, the information has limited value for harvest management because hunting mortality has little or no impact on carryover of small game to the subsequent breeding season. The major reasons to collect population data are to provide status information to the public, forecast game abundance for fall hunting seasons, or conduct special studies. However, there is little biological justification for adjusting small game hunting seasons on the basis of population data. This chapter provides life history information and traditional monitoring techniques for reference purposes. Several techniques may have utility for research, monitoring effects of development, evaluating habitat treatments including reclamation success, or to document trends for hunting forecasts. The Department has no plans to conduct small game surveys at a statewide level. II. BACKGROUND, STATUS, AND NATURAL HISTORY – A. History in Wyoming – The cottontail rabbit was designated a game species in 1966 and hunting seasons were established thereafter. The first hunting seasons for snowshoe hares and tree squirrels were established in 1974. B. Current Status – 1. Distribution – a. Cottontail Rabbits – The eastern cottontail is confined to the southeast corner of Wyoming. Desert and Nuttall’s cottontails are distributed throughout the state, however Nuttall’s range probably does not coincide with the eastern cottontail, and the desert cottontail is not found along the Idaho-Wyoming border (Long 1965). b. Snowshoe Hare – Snowshoe hares occupy higher-elevation, coniferous forests throughout mountain ranges of Western Wyoming, the Snowy Mountains and Big Horn Mountains (Long 1965). 11-1 c. Red and Fox Squirrel – Red squirrels inhabit mountain spruce-fir and pine forests throughout the state (Long 1965). In recent history the range of the fox squirrel has expanded (through releases and dispersal) to include most deciduous riparian, agricultural, and urban habitats east of the Continental Divide in Wyoming (Long 1965, Wyoming Game and Fish Department 1999). An isolated population of gray squirrels inhabits the Sheridan areas. The species possibly exists in some other locations along the eastern edge of the state, but has not been documented in the Department’s observation records. C. Natural History Information – 1. Range of productivity – a. Cottontail Rabbit – Cottontails begin breeding at 3-6 months of age (Wyoming Game and Fish Department 1992). They typically produce about 3 litters per year, but can have up to 5. Each litter consists of 3-7 young (average 4). b. Snowshoe Hare – Snowshoe hares also begin breeding at 3-6 months of age. They produce 2-4 litters per year, averaging 2 liters and 3 young per litter (Wyoming Game and Fish Department 1992). c. Red and Fox Squirrel – Red and fox squirrels are able to breed at 6-9 months of age. Both species have 1 litter per year and 2-7 young per liter (Wyoming Game and Fish Department 1992). 2. Range of natural mortality – a. Cottontail Rabbit – Natural mortality of cottontails is very high (Eberhardt et al. 1978). Annual survival rates can be as low as 20%. Average life span is approximately 2 years. Mortality is highest during the juvenile age class, post- weaning. b. Snowshoe Hare – Natural mortality of snowshoe hares is also high, but varies markedly depending on environmental conditions and population cycles. Juveniles in their first year sustain highest mortality, ranging from 50% during periods of increasing populations to 90% during periods of decreasing populations (Dolbeer and Clark 1975, Meslow and Keith 1968). Annual mortality of adults ranges from 25-60% during increasing and decreasing population cycles, respectively. c. Red and Fox Squirrel – The literature contains relatively little information about natural mortality of squirrels. However, squirrel populations are known to sustain themselves under heavy hunting pressure. This capability is typical of species with high rates of recruitment and natural mortality. In winter, mortality probably varies depending on weather conditions. Since squirrels are arboreal and store 11-2 food caches, it is likely they are more susceptible to long cold spells than to heavy snow cover. 3. Food Habits – Consult Adams (1959), DeCalesta (1971), Hansen and Flinders (1969), Martin et al. (1951), Turkowski (1975), Yeager (1959), Zimmer (2004) and others). Diets of most small game are comparatively broad, enabling them to utilize a variety of food sources depending on season and availability. Common methods for conducting food habits studies include field observation and fecal analysis (Adams et al. 1962, Schemnitz 1980). III. CENSUS – Although the Wyoming Game and Fish Department does not currently monitor small game populations, population trends can be assessed using data from the small and upland game harvest surveys (e.g. hunter harvest, success, and effort). Methods discussed in this chapter are not widely used by the Department, but potentially have some application for research, special projects and prey base monitoring. A. Trend Counts – Various trend counts have been used to monitor small game, especially in the eastern United States (Boufford and Hein 1978, Flyger 1959, Kline 1965, Lord 1961, and Newman 1959). Trend counts have also been applied within some areas of Wyoming, however the Department has no plans to develop a statewide trend count. 1. Rationale – The purpose of trend counts is to detect changes in abundance that take place over time, or differences that exist between locations. Generally, population sizes are not estimated from trend data except in limited circumstances, provided a conversion ratio has been developed. Surface management agencies can incorporate trend data into land management plans to evaluate impacts of various surface management activities, and results of habitat manipulations. The Department may use trend data for some species management. For example, trend counts can indicate prey abundance for various avian and mammalian carnivores. 2. Application – a. Cottontail Rabbits – Spotlight trend counts are conducted along driving transects of at least 20 miles, typically in August and March. All observations of rabbits and the corresponding mileage readings are recorded on a data form. In Wyoming, personnel traditionally drive transects at 40 mph or less, beginning each 0.5 hour after sunset. However, researchers in other states recommend driving the routes at 20 mph. Kline (1965) determined cottontails were most active in late February and late July. Peaks of daily activity occur one hour before sunrise in February and one hour after sunset in July. Bearing this in mind, morning surveys could be evaluated in Wyoming. The width of coverage along transects should be standardized (e.g., the road and an equal distance on either side). b. Snowshoe Hare – An accepted method has not been developed to monitor population trends of snowshoe hares. 11-3 c. Red and Fox Squirrels – Several techniques have been used to census squirrels (Boufford and Hein 1978, Fitzwater 1941, Flyger 1959, Kufeld 1964). The time- area count appears to be the most efficient (Kufeld, R. C. 1964). 3. Analysis of Data – Summarize the number of observations per unit of survey effort, e.g., the number of rabbits seen per mile, or the number of squirrels heard per station. 4. Disposition of Data – Send copies of census forms to the area biologist. This information should be entered in the Wildlife Observation System database. Also, summarize results in small game completion reports. B. Mark-recapture – Mark-recapture techniques could be used to estimate local populations of small game mammals in Wyoming (Dolbeer and Clark 1975, Edwards and Eberhardt 1967, Friley 1955, Keith et al. 1968, Nixon et al. 1967, Schemnitz 1980, Skalski et al. 1983). Also refer to Chapter 20 (Nongame Mammals) and Appendix VII (Marking Techniques). C. Road-kill Surveys – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) conducts road- kill surveys to monitor population trends of cottontails (Hubert 1988). Although road-kill surveys have not been implemented in Wyoming, they could potentially have some utility. 1. Rationale – Lineal frequencies of road-killed rabbits are generally correlated with population densities. Therefore, road-kill surveys can provide an index to cottontail population trends. 2. Application – Road-kill surveys should be conducted in June or July. The IDNR found results of June and July surveys were directly correlated with fall harvest of cottontails. 3. Analysis of Data – Talley the number of road-killed animals seen per thousand driving miles. 4. Disposition of Data – Summarize results of road-kill surveys in small game completion reports. IV. HARVEST DATA – A. Harvest Survey – Small game harvest statistics are estimated annually from a hunter mail survey (Appendix III). Data from field check stations can also provide some useful harvest information. 1. Rationale – When more costly, labor-intensive field surveys are impractical, harvest data are an excellent indication of small game population trends. Harvest data are 11-4 analyzed in the Department’s program (job) completion reports
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